Kanwar Yatra 2024: Former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi Criticizes UP Police's Name Plate Order | ABP News

Senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has also voiced his opposition to this directive. Naqvi expressed his views on social media, stating, "Hey troller ponies… at least do not distribute to me the certificate of respect and reverence for the Kanwar Yatra. I always believe that no faith should be held hostage to intolerance and untouchability." The controversy stems from the Uttar Pradesh Police's decision to enforce the display of shop owners' names during the Kanwar Yatra, a religious pilgrimage where devotees of Lord Shiva gather sacred water from the Ganges River. Critics argue that such measures could unnecessarily provoke tension and undermine the spirit of communal harmony during religious festivities. Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi's statement underscores his stance on religious tolerance and freedom, emphasizing the importance of respecting all faiths without fostering division or discrimination. His comments reflect a broader sentiment within political circles regarding the balance between religious practices and civic regulations, particularly in sensitive contexts such as religious processions and gatherings. As the debate continues, stakeholders are keenly observing developments to gauge the implications of such directives on public sentiment and religious freedoms in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.